Cried at 5,000m. Laughed at 6,000m. Pisang Peak Changed Me.

I had no idea what I was doing when I signed up for Pisang Peak Climbing.

I wasn’t a mountaineer. I had never climbed anything higher than my apartment stairs when the elevator broke. But something in me said, “Go for it.” So I did. And it was one of the best (and hardest) things I’ve ever done.

The Fear Hit Me at 5,000 Meters

That’s when the trail got steep. The air got thin. And my brain started whispering:

"You’re not built for this." "You should’ve just gone to the beach." "This isn’t a joke anymore."

I cried. Quietly. Behind my sunglasses.

The Top Is at 6,091 Meters (But It Feels Higher)

Pisang Peak is 6,091 meters high (about 19,984 feet), and not many first-timers try it. Only around 500 people climb it each year (NTB) compared to thousands on more popular routes like Island Peak or EBC.

But something shifted after that tearful moment.

My guide gave me a boiled potato and said, “Eat. Then climb.” So I did.

Step by step. Breath by breath. I made it to High Camp, then the summit the next morning. At the top, I was so tired, I just laughed. Out loud. Like a kid. I couldn’t believe my legs had brought me here.

What Pisang Peak Taught Me

• Your brain lies when you’re scared

• Breathing is hard at altitude but worth it

• You don’t need to be perfect to climb a mountain

• Potatoes fix a lot

And maybe the most important thing: It’s okay to feel small. In fact, sometimes it’s the only way to feel full again.

Final Thought

If you're thinking about trying something big, something scary, maybe even something cold and uphill... do it.

Pisang Peak Climbing reminded me that we’re all stronger than we think especially after 5,000 meters and a good cry.